MPI Tech Transfer Survey Supports Red Meat PGP

27 FEBRUARY 2013
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MPI Tech Transfer Survey Supports Red Meat PGP

The findings of a Ministry for Primary Industries survey of technology transfer to farmers is more evidence of why farmers should want the red meat primary growth partnership programme to go ahead, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairman Mike Petersen.

The MPI survey says technology transfer has enabled farmers and growers to become world leaders in primary production during three decades of significant structural change. But the sector could now do with a boost because there are too few professionals and they need to be better linked to provide a more integrated approach to sharing new knowledge and information.

“This initiative runs right through our PGP programme that is bringing together the major meat companies, two banks and an accounting firm in an unprecedented collaboration.

“Collating the best information and knowledge and piloting new ways to get it out to farmers through accredited and trusted advisors is a significant part of the programme.”

Sheep and beef farmers are currently being asked for permission to use $2.8 million a year of New Zealand Meat Board and B+LNZ Reserves for the next seven years in a programme that has a total value of $65 million.

“We’ve already secured $32.4 million from the government and $13.2 million from the other industry partners. Now we need a supportive vote from farmers to release some of the reserves which are able to be used for strategic projects like this.”

Petersen said the MPI report outlined that it was evident from the performance of top farmers that improving farm management skills across all New Zealand farmers would achieve productivity gains – and that’s from using technologies that already exist.

The MPI economic analysis indicates that lifting the average performance of pastoral farmers to that of the top 25 per cent could be worth $3 billion a year to the economy.

Farmers have until March 8 to vote. Visit www.beeflambnz.com/pgp for more information or call Beef + Lamb New Zealand Chairman, Mike Petersen 021 243 7344.

About Beef + Lamb New Zealand:
Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd is the farmer owned industry organisation representing New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers. Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ltd invests farmer levies to help develop a growing sheep and beef industry providing sustainable returns for future generations. Beef + Lamb New Zealand has four programmes – Farm, Market, People and Information – to deliver innovative tools and services to support informed decision making, and continuous improvement in market access, product positioning and farming systems for New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.

ENDS

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